RECURRENT NODULAR SCLERITIS ASSOCIATED WITH VARICELLA-ZOSTER VIRUS

PURPOSE: To describe a case of recurrent nodular scleritis that was ap parently caused by reactivation of a varicella tester virus infection. METHODS: Case report. Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain react ion were used to detect viral antigen and DNA in the biopsy specimen o f inflamed sclera of a patient with a history of recurrent nodular scl eritis. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction di sclosed varicella tester virus protein and DNA in the biopsy specimen of inflamed sclera from the patient. The scleritis resolved with oral famciclovir therapy. CONCLUSION: Reactivation of latent varicella zost er virus and direct viral invasion of sclera apparently caused the rec urrent anti-inflammatory resistant scleritis in our patient. (Am J Oph thalmol 1998;126:594-597. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).